Kent State University
Pitt
Gymnastics to Open Season Saturday at Pitt
1/12/2024 4:44:00โฏPM | Gymnastics
KENT, Ohio โย The Kent State Gymnastics team is set for the 2024 season opener on Saturday, Jan. 13, on the road at Pitt. The meet is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
The Golden Flashes will begin on bars while the Panthers will start on vault. The meet will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.ย
FLASH BACK
A season ago, the Flashes ranked 41st in the nation with a 195.920 NQS. Kent State finished third at the MAC Championships thanks to their continued excellence on floor and a 49.425 on bars, the second-highest score on the event in program history. Kyndall Gilbert tied for third at the championship meet on vault, while Karlie Franz and Alyssa Guns qualified as individuals for the NCAA Norman Regional, both competing on floor.ย
LOOKING FORWARD
Brice Biggin enters his 33rd season at the helm of the Kent State program with a new-look coaching staff and a young roster combined with veteran leadership. During the offseason, Craig Ballard was promoted to associate head coach after 12 years as an assistant coach under Biggin and Josie Angeny was hired as an assistant coach after spending the last five seasons competing in the SEC for both Kentucky and Georgia. The coaching staff will look to guide Kent State back to a team regional championship appearance for the first time since 2018.
The Flashes were picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference in the league's preseason coaches poll. Franz and Guns both return to Kent State after qualifying for NCAA Regionals as individuals each of the last two seasons and will once again look to lead the squad. Guns and Heidi Schultz were named MAC Gymnasts to Watch by the league office. The Flashes welcome seven newcomers to the squad, one sophomore transfer and six true freshmen, who will look to make an impact in the lineup early on.ย
SHE'S BAAAAAAACK!
After a stellar senior campaign, Karlie Franz returns to Kent State for one last ride with the Flashes. The two-time All-MAC Second Team selection ranked fourth in the conference on floor with a 9.905 NQS a season ago and scored a 9.9+ mark with her floor routine in six consecutive meets, highlighted by career-high 9.925s against NIU and Central Michigan. Also competing on bars and beam, Franz hit on 18 of her 20 routines during her senior season.
SCOUTING PITT
The 2024 season ushers in a new era of gymnastics for Pitt. Casey Jo MacPherson is in her first year at the helm of the program after spending the past 10 years at Missouri and the last three as the associate head coach of the program. This season also marks the first year that the ACC has sponsored gymnastics - Pitt has competed in the EAGL since 1996.ย
The Panthers return 12 gymnasts from last season's team and welcome seven newcomers to the squad. Pitt placed second in their first meet of the year, finishing behind Penn State in the four-team Keystone Classic last Friday. Freshman Emily Todd earned the first-ever ACC Newcomer of the Week award after competing on bars, beam, and floor in her collegiate debut, highlighted by a 9.800 on bars.
SERIES HISTORY
The Flashes hold a 21-14 advantage all-time when the two programs come face to face. In their last meeting in 2021, the Flashes came away with a 194.600-191.600 victory.
UP NEXT
Kent State stays on the road following its season opener, heading to the Tennessee Collegiate Classic on Friday, Jan. 19. The Flashes will compete against MAC foes Ball State and Northern Illinois as well as Fisk, Southeast Missouri State, and Wisconsin-Whitewater. Last season, Kent State finished third at the meet with a team total of 195.925, beating SEMO and Fisk but falling to Ball State and Lindenwood.
The Flashes host their first home meet of the season on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. against West Virginia. The home opener will also be the annual Pink Meet, this year with a "Barbie" twist.ย Fans can purchase their single-meet and season tickets for the 2024 seasonย here.ย ย
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
For more information on the Kent State gymnastics team, follow Kent State Gymnastics onย Instagram,ย Xย andย Facebook, and visitย kentstatesports.comย for additional information.
Players Mentioned
